Accident Overview
The aircraft was on the final approach segment of an instrument flight rules (IFR) cross-country flight when radio communications with the pilot were lost. The flight had originated approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes prior to the accident. The wreckage was located the following day about 2.8 miles from the destination airport. The airplane had impacted terrain in a vertical descent with a flat attitude and came to rest upright on its fuselage and wings. The cockpit and cabin were intact, and both wing assemblies remained attached to the fuselage. No evidence of forward velocity or leading-edge deformation was observed on the wings or fuselage.
Weather and Conditions
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were reported as low ceilings and low visibility due to snow and mist. Mixed ice was noted along the leading edge of both wings. The accident occurred during dark night conditions. Pilots who flew the ILS approach immediately prior to the accident aircraft reported encountering mixed icing during the descent and final approach.
Pilot Information
Pilot logbook records indicated a total flight time of approximately 1,987 hours. In the six-month period preceding the accident, the pilot logged approximately 40 hours total time, 9 hours of actual instrument time, and 7 instrument approaches in the accident airplane. The pilot's total night flying experience was approximately 51 hours. No entries in the pilot's logbook indicated any night flying in the six months before the accident.
Air Traffic Control Communications
Air traffic control (ATC) transcripts showed that shortly after entering the holding pattern at 11,000 feet, the pilot was issued an approach clearance for the ILS. The pilot acknowledged the clearance approximately two minutes before ATC communications were lost.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors associated with the accident were dark night conditions, clouds, icing conditions, low visibility, and snow.